Cover Story
Goodbye, Judy Burns
Judy Burns loved to help people. That’s one of many ways Mariah Burns McFarland describes her mother, a long-time education advocate and Tucson Unified School District governing board member, who died on Thursday, Oct. 27, of a heart attack. She was 63 years old. “Just know that’s where her heart was. She cared about making…
Red Velvet Cupcakery Closes Saturday
Red Velvet Cupcakery at 943 E. University Blvd. will serve its last cupcake this Saturday. The other Tucson-area location at La Encantada closed about six months ago. Is this the beginning of the end for the cupcake fad in Tucson? It’s been on the slide in major cities across the country for awhile. Personally, I’m…
Just How Cold Was It at Your House?
Monday night’s airport low temperature was 38. If you check around your home, see if anything was nipped by the frost at all. If you discover anything, you will get a sense of how much different your micro-climates are around your home. One area will be different than another so check it out. Here is…
Grijalva: Pearce Recall a “Game Changer”
Congressman Raul Grijalva told The Range last night that the election results in Tucson and elsewhere showed that Democrats “are not an endangered species.” Grijalva called state Sen. Russell Pearce’s loss in his recall election a “game-changer.” “There have been a lot of politicians locally and statewide and nationally who have used hate and division…
Lou Reed, Please Stop
The Lou Reed/Metallica collaboration Lulu has been a punching bag for music critics (scoring 37 out of 100 on review aggregation site Metacritic), but what were people expecting? What was the last Lou Reed record anyone actually liked? Set the Twilight Reeling? Plus, while no one could expect that Metallica would be an angry speed…
Can We Borrow $13,900?
I’m not entirely sure how this program works, but it would appear that for just $13,900 the Tucson Weekly can get the prized endorsement of Jaleel White, the guy who played Urkel, when he appears on a bunch of TV shows. 4.8 million people will hear the name of our paper coming straight from the…
Tucson Ward 4 Race Remains Close; Scott Leads But Doesn’t Declare Victory
Tucson City Councilwoman Shirley Scott, who leads Republican Tyler Vogt by 1,754 votes in the Ward 4 race, has sent out a bulletin thanking supporters, but she stopped short of saying the contest was over. “While results are not final yet, and therefore I will not declare victory yet, we’re in good shape,” Scott said.…
Hey, We Have a Google+ Page, It Seems
I still find myself personally confused by what I’m supposed to get out of Google+, but we can’t exactly allow the opportunity to have a page on the site pass us by, can we? So, we’re on there, we’ll provide links to stuff, and once I figure out what else the Weekly can do on…
In Case You Need to See a Man About a Barrel Cactus …
Apparently, the black market is as wide-ranging as Amazon or Overstock. It’s no longer just a place to get weapons, drugs, kidneys and healthy babies. It might also be the go-to shopping destination for those in need of … desert plants. About 150 barrel cacti were discovered stolen Monday morning from a cactus farm near…
A Food Truck Festival Is Upon Us!
The first-ever Tucson Food Truck Roundup takes place Monday, Nov. 14, and a number of great local food trucks have signed up to participate. So far MaFooCo, Jamie’s Bitchin’ Kitchen, Cyclopsicle, Street Delights, Pin-Up Pastries and KBORK are on the bill, and there’s word a few other trucks might show up, too. It all goes…
Republican Party Fiesta 2011: The Party’s Over … Kinda
Before election results were announced tonight at the Pima County Republican Party election fiesta, everyone was in an upbeat mood. Republican Party chairwoman Carolyn Cox thanked everyone for coming and being involved this year. But once election results were released shortly after 8 p.m., Cox and that upbeat mood changed with only one exception in…
Meet the New Bosses: Rothschild Beats Grinnell; Ward 4 Remains Too Close to Call
Republicans were holding out faint hopes for an upset win Tuesday night as the race between Democratic City Councilwoman Shirley Scott and GOP challenger Tyler Vogt remained too close to call. Otherwise, Election Day brought a decisive Democratic sweep. With an unknown number of votes left to count, Vogt trailed Scott by just 1,754 votes…
Green Partiers Celebrate Tonight’s Election
Kellie Mejdrich 2011 Mayoral Candidate Mary DeCamp garnered 4.77 pecent of the vote on Election Day. “We did it! I don’t care what the numbers are,” DeCamp said. “We changed the dialogue!” “Well, the Greens did OK!” Green Party Mayoral Candidate Mary DeCamp said as she looked over the election numbers—4.77 percent for her, 34…
Election Results
Updated at 8:40 p.m. City turnout (counted): 27.71 percent Tucson MayorJonathan Rothschild (D): 54.9 percentRick Grinnell (R): 40.1 percentMary DeCamp (G): 4.8 percent Tucson City Council Ward 1Regina Romero (D): 64.7 percentBeryl Baker (G): 37 percent Tucson City Council Ward 2Paul Cunningham (D): 56.8 percentJennifer Rawson (R): 43 percent Tucson City Council Ward 4Shirley Scott…
Photos From the Democratic Party Election Night Event
Tim Glass Jonathan Rothschild Tim Glass Jeff Rogers and Jonathan Rothschild Tim Glass Shirley Scott Tim Glass Regina Romero Tim Glass Paul Cunningham Tim Glass Jeff Rogers and Adam Kinsey
Jerry Lewis Defeats Russell Pearce
Russell Pearce’s reign as Senate President is over, for now, at least, with the Arizona Republic reporting that Pearce has essentially conceded to Jerry Lewis: Pearce shortly after 9 p.m. said at a news conference outside a campaign supporter’s home that “Numbers aren’t going my way and I am OK with that.” “If being recalled…
The AP Calls the Mississippi “Personhood” Measure
An anti-abortion ballot proposition looked at nationally as a bellweather for future national campaigns against abortion rights has failed in Mississippi, according to the AP: Mississippi would have become the first state to define a fertilized egg as a person, a measure which was aimed at outlawing abortion in the state but, opponents contended, would…
In Other Elections – Phoenix’s Mayoral Race
In Phoenix’s mayoral race runoff, with just over 22% of the vote counted, former city councilman and Democrat Greg Stanton leads former Symington aide Wes Gullett 56% to 44%.
Jeff Rogers Takes on Jim Click
Jeff Rogers, discussing the rumor that Jim Click contributed in the neighborhood of $500,000 on Republican campaigns between Tucson and Phoenix, “Maybe we’ll be buying our Fords somewhere else.”
Elections Results—Soon!
It’s a bustling room full of Democrats at the Lodge on the Desert as the party faithful await the one and only release of election results that we’re going to get shortly after 8 p.m. But whether we’ll know the winner remains to seen. Adam Kinsey, executive director of the Pima County Democratic Party, just…
At the Republican Party Fiesta 2011
It’s starting to pick up at the Pima County Republican Party election fiesta at the Manning House. There’s a free buffet, a cash bar and Jon Justice; the pols are starting to show up, too: the Vogt brothers, Vic Williams, a man with a cool Abe Lincoln hat, and Awesome Rawson. Missing: the Koz and…
In Other Elections – Ohio’s Issue 10
The Associated Press is reporting that Ohio’s Issue 10, a measure supported by Republican governor John Kasich which would cut rights to collective bargaining and public employee benefits, has failed.
Mathis Attorney: “This Is a Remarkable Case Involving the Shocking Abuse of Raw Political Power To Frustrate the Will of Arizona’s Voters”
The Arizona Supreme Court has decided against an emergency stay that would allow Colleen Mathis to remain on the Independent Redistricting Commission, but the case will move forward, with a flurry of legal filings over the next week and oral arguments before the court on Thursday, Nov. 17. The court also ruled against allowing the…
You Don’t Actually Have Many Friends
While the social media world features a giant scoreboard of how connected everyone in the Western world is at any given moment, between followers, likes, and the utter nonsense of Klout, it seems like most people have two people they really consider friends, if they have any at all. According to Facebook the average user…
The Dunkin’ Donuts in Oro Valley Opens Tomorrow
The new Dunkin’ Donuts location at 7805 N. Oracle Road opens tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 9. The new location is celebrating its opening (translation: tempting people to to stop in by offering freebies) by giving away free medium-sized hot or iced coffees through Tuesday, Nov. 15, limited to one beverage per person, per day. Not much…
Is Alcohol-Free Whiskey a Sign of the Apocalypse?
Similar to the audience for O’Doul’s, there are certainly people out there who can’t or shouldn’t drink but miss the taste of whiskey, but I’m not sure the world is ready for an artificial flavor laden alcohol-free whiskey-like drink that comes in a can: The world’s first alcohol free whisky flavored drink ‘ArKay’ is been…
Deer Like Tacos (Who Doesn’t?)
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Two things I learned today: 1. Glass windows are no match for a deer on a taco hunt.2. There is at least one taco restaurant in Alpharetta, Georgia. [HT: The Awl]
Your Chance to Be Hopeful for Humanity Today
PRX has a great two part series [part 1; part 2] created for public radio called The Hidden World of Girls, hosted by Tina Fey that can be streamed online. As a wildly panicked father of a nearly four year old daughter, it’s nice to hear that some girls are managing to make it through…
The Onion News Network Provides a In-Depth Look at Foodie Culture
Helpful tip: When cooking for your asshole friends, always drive across town and buy the mostly costly fish you can.
The Best Cover of a Lady Gaga Song Ever
I’m not sure if this is a strange collision of American pop music and Chinese culture or a recruitment video for a Asian cult, but either way, I’m in. [HT: Buzzfeed]
You Like Their Music, But What About Their Artwork?
Tom Walbank Tucson musicians, including Howe Gelb, Al Perry, Gabriel Sullivan, Chris Black, Dimitri Manos, Emilie Marchand and Tom Walbank, are displaying artwork as part of the Vinyl to Canvas exhibition through Dec. 23 in the lobby and adjacent conference room of the Pioneer Building, 100 N. Stone Ave. A special reception from 6 to…
You Can Still Vote Today (If You Haven’t Already)
If you haven’t turned in your vote-by-mail ballot already (and the flood of phone calls you’ve likely received hasn’t been sufficient motivation to do so) or you lost the thing in a flood of junk mail and bills, there’s still an opportunity to weigh in on the candidates. Places you can go today (before 7…
Does Obama Stand a Chance in 2012?
Super smart guy Nate Silver looked at the statistical likelihood of Obama’s re-election for this week’s New York Times magazine. There’s a reason the Democratic National Committee has started with the ads attacking Romney already: We begin with the worst of these situations for Obama: Mitt Romney is the Republican nominee, and economic growth, rather…
Latest City Election Numbers. Plus, Your Math Challenge of the Day!
Here’s the latest breakdown the ballot returns tomorrow’s City of Tucson election. • 39,381 Democrats• 24,579 Republicans• 305 Greens• 503 Libertarians• 19,304 independents Turnout has now hit 41 percent. Since this does not include the ballots that are arriving in the mail today and tomorrow, or the ballots that will be dropped off on Election…
The Latest on Redistricting: The Arizona Supreme Court Prepares To Weigh In
Steve Muratore has new details about the battle over the future of the Independent Redistricting Commission over at the Arizona Eagletarian.Key takeaways: • Colleen Mathis, who was removed as chairwoman of the Independent Redistricting Commission last week by Gov. Jan Brewer and the GOP caucus in the Arizona Senate, has retained Thomas Zlaket, a former…
What’s Up With the Super Committee?
Reuters looks inside the meetings of the Super Committee tasked with fixing the federal government’s finances: Yet some opposing positions have seemed to harden, like those between Democratic Senator Max Baucus, who like other Democrats wants all budget options on the table, and Republican Senator Jon Kyl, who fiercely opposes any new defense cuts. Tensions…
One Tucsonan, Lots of Humboldt County Marijuana
If you’re driving around with enough marijuana to create a detectable trail of odor that follows your car around, it seems somewhat likely that law enforcement might intervene: The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the corner of Redwood Drive and Alderpoint Road, Garberville. The deputy contacted the driver of the Suburban…
Need Some Killer Thanksgiving Cooking Tips?
Imagine how guests will swoon when you tell them Janos Wilder taught you how to cook the bird this year. You will be one popular Thanksgiving host with such clout, and there’s a good chance there will be fewer leftovers than you anticipated with this kind of deliciousness on the menu: Roast Turkey Adobado with…
My Christmas List Consists of One Awesome Item
It’s sort of remarkable that no one thought of this idea before. People with iPhones and iPod Touches (that pluralization seems weird) often use those devices as their primary source of music. Boomboxes are awesome. Why not bring the boombox into the 21st century? I’m going to start stocking up on D batteries now. RELATED:…
Cleveland Sports Fans Have It Rough
As a long time fan of Cleveland sports teams, I co-sign the sentiments of this video. I still tear up when I hear the name “Bernie Kosar” and it’s all been downhill since then.
Belly Up Big Eaters!
Bacon and Craeggs at 601 N. Fourth Ave. has a new eating challenge that is going to give a lot of cardiologists the jitters. From the recently opened eatery’s Facebook page: Free Bacon And Craeggs Meal! 10 piece bacon plate, 6 sausage rounds, 6 eggs, 2 texas toast, 4 pancakes, and homefries (4 potatoes worth)…
A Blog Guide to Your Potential Racist Behavior
I don’t know where this came from or who is answering the questions, but Yo, Is This Racist? is my new favorite blog. Partially because it’s hilarious, but also because I am sometimes worried if I’m being racist and this seems like a helpful guide towards non-racist behavior. My second-favorite post (so far):
Critter of the Week: Meet Smudge
Smudge, a black and white cat who has seen some hard times lately, could use a new home. Smudge’s bio from the Humane Society: Meet Super Smudge! Found clinging to life after being hit by a car, Smudge was rushed to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona by a Good Samaritan. X-rays revealed that Smudge…
So, Radiohead Is Coming to Glendale
It’s been a very, very long time since Radiohead has played anywhere in Arizona (I could be wrong, but I don’t think they’ve played the state since a club date at Mesa’s Nile Theatre in 1995…great show, wish you were there), but they’re finally coming back on March 15th, 2012 at the Jobing.com Arena. There’s…
IRC Attorneys Challenge Brewer in Court, While Brewer Tries To Silence Mathis’ Lawyer
Laura Hogan traveled all the way from Vail to Marana on the evening of Friday, Nov. 4, to let the Independent Redistricting Commission know she was “very upset” by the removal of IRC chair Colleen Mathis by Gov. Jan Brewer last week.Republican lawmakers provided Brewer with the two-thirds supermajority necessary to dispatch Mathis. “It was…
Idiot Boksen – In Defense of Criticism
I’ve been writing this column more or less weekly for the better part of a year now, and it has been a lot of fun. I don’t harbor any grand visions of my relevance in the broad scope of things. In that year, maybe I’ve convinced two or three people to watch Breaking Bad, and…
New York Times on AZ Redistricting: Voters “Should Score Ms. Mathis’ Removal as a Deliberate Act of Political Intimidation”
The New York Times unloads on Gov. Jan Brewer and the Arizona Legislature over their redistricting ploy: Governor Brewer, anticipating a “flawed product” from the commission, used her party’s supermajority in the Senate to engineer the two-thirds vote needed for the chairwoman’s removal. An attempt also to oust the commission’s two Democrats fell short of…
New City Election Return Numbers. Plus, Your Math Challenge of the Day!
The latest number of ballot returns from the Tucson City Clerk’s office: Democrats: 35,770Republicans: 22,650Libertarians: 498Greens: 97Independents/Etc: 17,229 That’s a jump of nearly 12,000 ballots over yesterday’s numbers and puts us at roughly 37 percent turnout. That number only includes the ballots whose signatures have been checked by the Pima County Recorder’s Office, which means…
Political Roundtable: Unpacking the Redistricting Fracas! Will Russell Pearce Survive His Recall? And What’s Going On in the Mayor’s Race?
Tonight’s Political Roundtable: Paton and McLeod debate redistricting, the Pearce recall and the mayor’s race. Plus, predictions in the Ward 4 race between Councilwoman Shirley Scott and GOP challenger Tyler Vogt.
Shame on You, Michigan Senate
I was going to make some sort of a joke about how the Michigan Senate makes me feel better about our insane legislature, but then I realized there’s absolutely nothing funny about legalizing bullying, as long as the person doing the terrorizing can claim that they’re doing because of a “a sincerely held religious belief…
What to Listen to This Week: Friday Edition
Songs! For you to enjoy! Rose’s Pawn Shop! White Laces! Calvin Harris! Roxette? Eric SwedlundRose’s Pawn Shop, “Iesha” Here’s one for the Amusingly Mismatched Covers Hall of Fame: LA bluegrass combo Rose’s Pawn Shop covering one of the early 90s strangest R&B hits: “Iesha” from the pre-adolescent Another Bad Creation. And yes, it’s plenty creepy…
Help Build a Playground Tomorrow
Here’s something you can’t do everyday. Volunteers will gather at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, at Santa Cruz Apartments, 3601 S. 16th Ave. to help build a 2,166-sqaure foot playground. It’s not just any kind of playground, though. This one will also have senior- and adult-friendly areas. The estimated time for the ribbon-cutting is 2:30…
You Should Go to the Tucson Comic-Con
If you’re heading to the Tucson Comic-Con this weekend (and you should, because admission is cheap and it’ll be a lot of fun), be sure to look for Range contributor/Best of Tucsontm honoree Eric Esquivel, who will be all over the place, talking, signing and selling things, and generally being a cool guy. Want to…
Finally, an Anthem for Those of You Still Using a Blackberry
As a dedicated iPhone user I can’t really co-sign the sentiments of this track from former Tucsonan and overall nice guy Ciphurphace, but it’s still a fun take on the LL Cool J classic “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”. BONUS FOOTAGE! Ciphurphace’s daughter/hypewoman helping him on one of the verses:
Handy Information Regarding Dumb Laws in Video Form
In this week’s Weekly Wide Web, I briefly mentioned the Protect IP Act and the Stop Online Piracy Act and how they threaten the very nature of the internet as we know it. If you prefer moving images and the sound of human voices to letters on a screen or a page, here’s a video…
Political Roundtable Tonight: Redistricting, the Mayor’s Race & Russell Pearce’s Recall
It’s a big night for the Political Roundtable as we unpack Gov. Jan Brewer’s decision to remove Colleen Mathis from the Independent Redistricting Commission, take a look at the recall effort against Senate President Russell Pearce and find out what’s up in the final stretch of the City Council elections.
Fresh Veggies For Sale!
Leza Carter of Tucson’s Village Farm says she spent this morning picking eggplant, okra, basil, lettuce and other veggies for a farmers’ market she’s holding at the project’s harvest festival this Saturday. You can read more about the festival in this week’s Noshing Around. If you were going to head out grocery shopping anyway, it…
Latest City Election Numbers, Plus Your Math Challenge of the Day!
The latest number of ballot returns from the Tucson City Clerk’s office, as of this morning: Democrats: 30,867Republicans: 19,903Libertarians: 358Greens: 215Independents/Etc: 13,139 For those who are wondering: That’s roughly 35 percent turnout. And, on sheer numbers, we’ve got 64,482 ballots turned back in, which is closing in on the 74,168 ballots that were cast in…
We Don’t Suck!
No sooner do I say we suck here in El Pueblecito Antiguo, and suddenly we suck less. How’s that for manifesting the good? On Nov. 11, Tucson will get a new health center aimed at connecting MMJ patients with information and instruction on all things pot. Services at Tumbleweeds Health Center will include cannabis counseling,…
Occupy Tucson Moved to Veinte de Agusto Park
Occupy Tucson was removed by the Tucson Police Department late last night, seemingly peaceably, from their campouts at Armory Park and the Library Park due to events scheduled with permits for both areas this weekend. The campers moved to Veinte de Agusto park on Congress (probably better known as Pancho Villa park), which, as it…
The AP Previews the Kelly/Giffords Book
Clearly, as the November 15th release of Gabby by Mark Kelly and Gabrielle Giffords approaches, there will be a lot of talk of the book and its contents, especially here in Tucson, and the first significant look at the book’s contents came from the Associated Press today, which somehow got ahold of the book in…
Interstate 10 Likely To Be Dusty, Windy Today
A wind advisory isn’t usually something that constitutes an update on such a high-brow blog compilation as The Range, but considering how dangerous Interstate 10 has become because of dust storms, it bears mentioning today. That being said, the National Weather Service has warned of high winds, sustained between 25 and 35 mph and gusting…
This Week in Tucson Bicycling
The UA adds a free bicycle repair station. The University of Arizona is adding two free bicycle fix-it stations. See what they look like and where they are located. Cyclovia gets a $45k commitment from a local entity. Find out who is giving the event the cash. Check out this weird looking bike and see…
This Video Is What I Want My Life to Be Like
I don’t know anything about Jian Sword Dancing, but there’s something magical happening in this video. The wizened, nearly motionless elderly woman, the guy who joins the dance party, the boombox…I love everything happening here and I want it to last forever. [Dangerous Minds]
AZ Democratic Party Chair Andrei Cherny on Hardball: Brewer and GOP Lawmakers “Are Acting Like It’s A Banana Republic in Central America”
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Hardball’s Chris Matthews covers Gov. Jan Brewer’s firing of Independent Redistricting Commission chairwoman Colleen Mathis.
If This Isn’t Your Dad, Your Wedding Sucked
All weddings should be obligated by law to play the E.U. track “Da Butt.” I will vote for any candidate that makes this issue part of their platform. It’s not too late, Tyler Vogt. I haven’t sent in my ballot yet. [Daily What]
Attorney Paul Charlton: Mathis Removal From Redistricting Commission “Had Nothing To Do With the Law, It Had Nothing To Do With the Constitution. It Had To Do With Political Intimidation”
We mentioned on Tuesday that attorneys for the Independent Redistricting Commission would be taking court action to block Gov. Jan Brewer’s removal of Colleen Mathis as chairwoman of the Independent Redistricting Commission. We haven’t been able to catch up with IRC attorney Mary O’Grady to find out the latest on her legal strategy, but we’re…
What to Listen to This Week: Thursday Edition
Our weekly music suggestion service returns with picks from our music writers (and a few occasional interlopers), this time including tracks by Zapp & Roger, Mr. Gnome (for the second week!), and Roxy Music. Jarret KeeneZapp & Roger, “Computer Love” Halloween’s already a dark and delicious memory, which means it’s time to start racking up…
The Food Truck Diaries, Volume 25: Cyclopsicle
Meet Gus Coliadis and his incredible bike-powered popsicle stand Cyclopsicle. Today was his first day sellling various flavors of frozen treats on the corner of Congress Street and Scott Avenue, which will be his permanent location for the next year or so. As I write this my lips are still warm from one of the…
Correction: Green Mayoral Candidate Only Facing Eviction
In this week’s “Finish Line,” I screwed up: Green Party candidate Mary DeCamp is not living in a tent at Occupy Tucson’s Armory Park protest after she was evicted from her foreclosed home. She is living in a tent at Occupy Tucson while facing a Nov. 10 eviction from her foreclosed home.
A Very Brief Preview of Diane Sawyer’s Giffords Special
video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player While there was some question whether Gabrielle Giffords would be on-screen for the Diane Sawyer special on ABC timed to the release of her book with her husband, Mark Kelly, the brief commercial for next Friday’s episode of 20/20 shows Rep. Giffords on screen seemingly talking to Sawyer. More on…
City Hall Brawl: Election Night Preview! Plus, Voter Return Numbers and Your Math Challenge of the Day!
Political junkies may be wondering: With this new vote-by-mail system, what’s up with next Tuesday’s election results? When will we know if Republican Tyler Vogt’s aggressive TV—and-mail campaign can overcome four-term City Councilwoman Shirley Scott’s strategy of attacking Tyler Vogt’s Tea Party flavor via mailboxes and Spanish-language radio? No se, amigos. Here’s the deal: We’ll…
Union Public House: OK Food in Stylish Atmosphere
JOSH MORGAN Chicken and Waffles at Union Public House has plentiful chicken, but even more batter than there is meat. So after all that talk of Union Public House, I was excited to check it out for lunch. I mean, the one menu item that screamed at me was the Pork Belly. Who doesn’t like…
Talking Comics: Wolverine & X-Men #1
Ostensibly, this is a discussion of a comic book, but at some point, it becomes a conversation about father figures, non-traditional families and the process of mentoring. Also, Eric and Arnie argue for a bit.
Here’s What a Frozen, Shipped In-N-Out Burger Tastes Like
Last week, it was sort of news that a new website Midtown Row was offering to send customers two In-N-Out Double Doubles via overnight delivery for $56. While this sounds incredibly disgusting to me (frozen prepared burgers?), CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell gave the shipped product a 6 (with a perfect, fresh burger a…
The Mythbusters Are Coming to Tucson
Full disclosure: I’m largely posting this news because it will cause my nearly-ten-year-old son’s head explode later. Jonathan (and anyone else who is interested)….the Mythbusters are coming to Centennial Hall. The all-new, live stage show “MythBusters Behind the Myths,” starring Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-hosts of the Emmy-nominated Discovery series “MythBusters,” promises to be…
Even Old Tucson Is Getting in on the Gardening Craze
I picked up the most interesting tidbit while interviewing the CEO of Old Tucson the other day. Pete Manglesdorf said he’s planning to add a two-acre garden to the theme park and movie set. Old Tucson recently added 12 new buildings and a small mock-up of a Tohono O’odham village complete with a native garden,…
AZ Republic: “Brewer and Senate Republicans Ran Roughshod Over the Public” With Redistricting Power Play
The Arizona Republic weighs in on the redistricting kangaroo court we saw unfold earlier this week at the Capitol: Gov. Jan Brewer and Senate Republicans ran roughshod over the public on Tuesday. In a slam-bang special session, they threw out the chairwoman of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. They trampled a process that voters approved…
City Week
Throw the disc around; Art at Valley of the Moon; Bagpipes galore; Every greyhound has his day
Grooves Times Two
If there’s a soul revival going down … is the unfortunate implication that real soul music needed to be revived? Was it on life support, requiring resuscitation and in danger of fading away? Let’s ask members of two excellent bands, which are bringing the funk and R&B grooves to Tucson venues during the same week.…
TQ&A
Lana Hariri, 19, is a sophomore at the University of Arizona studying physiology/pre-med; she plans to eventually become a dermatologist. In July, Hariri was selected to take part in the 2011 Miss Arab USA Pageant. In September, she became the second runner-up in the annual contest, managed by the Arab American Association (AAA), a nonprofit…
Soundbites
All Souls Procession musical events; The return of Ryanhood; and more!
The Skinny
How Gov. Jan Brewer and GOP lawmakers are railroading Colleen Mathis of the Independent Redistricting Commission … Clean Elections wins a round in court … and more!
Angst Over the Ages
The literary critic M.H. Abrams defined “tragedy” as a series of actions that “eventuate in a disastrous conclusion for the protagonist.” In Shakespeare’s King Lear, a series of really bad things (spoiler alert!) do indeed eventuate in a disastrous conclusion for the titular character. In Beowulf Alley’s contemporary-dress production, called simply Lear, the king (Bill…
Nine Questions
Jesse Arenstein studied poetry at the UA and was a participant in Tucson’s brief but beautiful performance-poetry scene in the ’90s. An avid music fan but a “sub-amateur musician,” his 15 minutes of musical fame came a few years back while standing in with Muddy Bug on harmonica during KXCI FM 91.3’s tribute concert to…
Complete Meltdown
Who are these people? Not since George and Martha and their unsuspecting guests in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf have two couples crashed and burned as spectacularly as they do in God of Carnage, which opened last week at Arizona Theatre Company. In Yasmina Reza’s play, however, the tone is much lighter. In…
Tom Waits: Bad as Me (ANTI–)
Donning the mask of a fatalistic joker, Tom Waits gives 2011 its defining album, singing, stomping and wheezing in revolt against the bleak lows that mark this doomed age. A deep study of any of the 13 songs on Bad as Me would serve the same purpose, with nearly the same result: This is the…
R.I.P.
This week brings one of the saddest cover stories that the Tucson Weekly has published in a while. Our original plan for this week’s cover slot was a story by Mari Herreras that highlighted various myths and truths about the Tucson Unified School District’s ethnic-studies programs. Then last Thursday, Oct. 27, came the shocking news…
Standing Ovation
Back in the days when the Rolling Stones still ruled the airwaves—in 1974, to be precise—Mick Jagger sang a song about why he did what he did for a living. With a single line, he pushed back hard against critics of popular music. “I know, it’s only rock ‘n’ roll” he sneered, “but I like…
High Places: Original Colors (Thrill Jockey)
The most fascinating thing about Nirvana’s success was the friction between Kurt Cobain’s anti-macho spirit and how the band’s sound helped catalyze the testosterone-ridden mode of alternative music in the ’90s. The previous decade had seen a host of sissies and feyboys occupy the zeitgeist—from Boy George to Morrissey; from the boys in Duran Duran…
Danehy
In a few days, Tucsonans will go to the polls … no, wait, they’ll stay away from the polls … anyway, they’ll help determine the course of their city government over the next few years. The election next Tuesday, Nov. 8, will largely be conducted by mail-in ballot, meaning that we’ll have no idea who…
Mates of State: Mountaintops (Barsuk)
Eighteen seconds into “Palomino,” what started as a toe-tapping song with an airy synthesizer bursts into a chorus of “oohs,” and Mates of State’s new album rushes off like a child at play. “Palomino” is concentrated sweetness, an album and perhaps career highlight for Mates of State, a band that peddles bottled joy and sunshine.…
Gargulinski
Arizona may seem to be falling apart at the seams, but we can bring it back together with the chimichanga. Tucson’s El Charro Café and Phoenix-based Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen have blended their efforts to produce a petition to get the chimichanga named Arizona’s official state food. The petition, available for signing at checkyesforchimi.com, is timed…
Live
Prescott’s commemoration of el Día de los Muertos was happy proof that Tucsonans are not alone: There are members of the tribe up north, and our solidarity with them will be amply rewarded with camaraderie, shared foolishness and even some great new ideas, like: Why not have all the beer proceeds go to charity? And:…
Guest Commentary
It is important to remember that the Rio Nuevo legislation is a partnership between the state of Arizona and the city of Tucson. Both entities have a vested interest in its success. Tax-increment financing (TIF) legislation is a legal template used across the country to finance sports stadiums and similar projects for municipalities. In essence,…
Phoenix Doesn’t Suck
If you’re from Tucson or have been here a while, and you have spent any significant time in Phoenix, you know that Tucson sucks way less than our bigger neighbor to the north. The reasons are numerous, and I won’t go into them here. But it seems medical marijuana has offered the Valley a chance…
Mailbag
Obama loves migrant workers (or just their votes; More on bisexuality; Where’s Ed Moore?; Appreciating the “lowbrow”; Disagreeing over Hemingway; A correction
Historic Women
During the famously hot Philadelphia summer of 1776, Thomas Jefferson had more on this mind than the birth of a new nation. His mother, Jane, had died in Virginia on March 31. Her son was so distraught that he suffered a debilitating migraine for six weeks, delaying his trip to the Continental Congress until May.…
Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: These days, using the word “nigger” is considered so offensive that, in its place, we now use the term “n-word.” Of course, never mind that African Americans use it among themselves as a term of endearment, pero esa es una historia para un otro dia. Sin embargo, it raises a pregunta for me:…
Finish Line
Tucson voters will pick a new mayor and decide the fate of three incumbent Tucson City Council members on Tuesday, Nov. 8. But most voters won’t be going to the polls to do so, because the city has instituted a new vote-by-mail system, and ballots were sent to all of Tucson’s registered voters. As of…
Clock Clunker
Justin Timberlake will need to wait for another movie to become a kick-ass, bona fide action star, because In Time is intensely bad—an OK idea gone horribly awry. In Time seemed like it could be interesting. The trailer—featuring Timberlake cutting loose and smacking people in a future world where time is used as currency—looked pretty…
Top Ten in Music
1. Tom Waits Bad as Me (ANTI-) 2. Coldplay Mylo Xyloto (Capitol) 3. Captain America: The First Avenger (DVD) Sony 4. Adele 21 (XL) 5. Five Finger Death Punch American Capitalist (Prospect Park) 6. Evanescence Evanescence (Wind-Up) 7. She and Him A Very She and Him Christmas (Merge) 8. Carnifex Until I Feel Nothing (Victory)…
Media Watch
Jim Parisi off KVOI; Chris and Jennie part of Clear Channel cuts
Top Ten in Books
1. A Border Runs Through It: Journeys in Regional History and Folklore Jim Griffith, Rio Nuevo ($17.95) 2. Every Thing on It Shel Silverstein, HarperCollins ($19.99) 3. Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories From the Animal Kingdom Jennifer Holland, Workman ($13.95) 4. Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time Rick…
Inexpensive Innovation
When local builder Michael Ginsburg set out to design an energy-efficient home on Tucson’s northside, he certainly knew what he didn’t want. In short, he had zero desire to create a pricey, aesthetic showcase that would merely give a nod to energy efficiency. What he ultimately achieved was a comfortable, appealing home where utility bills…
Top Ten in Movies
1. Captain America: The First Avenger Sony 2. Horrible Bosses Warner Bros. 3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Disney 4. Bad Teacher Sony 5. Green Lantern Warner Bros. 6. Fast Five Universal 7. The Tree of Life 20th Century Fox 8. Attack the Block Sony 9. Scre4m Anchor Bay 10. Winnie the Pooh…
Police Dispatch
Denture issues; Bang on the ceiling all day
Honoring Hunter
If Hunter S. Thompson’s real life contained anywhere near as much booze and other substances as portrayed in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and The Rum Diary, it’s a miracle he was a productive writer for as long as he was—or that he even prowled the Earth as long as he did. And if…
Weekly Wide Web
Every few months, the corporate entertainment industry suckers some congressperson(s) into sponsoring a bill that seems on its surface to be an attempt to curb content piracy in America—but ends up having sinister possibilities. Many of these bills end up not making it into law, but that doesn’t keep the film, television and music industries…
Now Showing at Home
Pearl Jam Twenty; Captain America: The First Avenger (Blu-ray); Star Wars: The Clone Wars—The Complete Season Three (Blu-ray)
The Trouble With Trucks
Poor economy aside, philanthropists aren’t usually looking to fork over loads of money to help a small enclave of homes fix a traffic issue. Such is the reality that residents in Marana Estates find themselves in as they watch 18-wheel tractor-trailers rumble along their small streets toward a repair shop nestled on the edge of…
DIY Chinese
There are plenty of Chinese restaurants in Tucson, but Impress Hot Pot is the first to bring the authentic Chinese hot-pot experience to town. Situated in a small strip mall off of First Avenue, Impress Hot Pot is bright, clean and small, with maybe a dozen or so tables. On our lunch visit, it was…
Ideas Exchanged
TEDxTucson, a local branch of a global nonprofit effort devoted to sharing “ideas worth spreading,” will be hosting an evening of talks from some of Tucson’s most innovative thinkers next Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Fox Tucson Theatre. TED, which stands for technology, entertainment and design, started in California in 1984, and has since spread…
Noshing Around
A new restaurant at San Agustin; Teaching kids how to farm; Playground; and more!
Addendum to ‘Goodbye, Judy Burns’
As we were going to press yesterday with our cover story Goodbye, Judy Burns, we received a call from a reader asking for more information on the search process that will take place to find a new TUSD governing board member. The question was: How much authority will TUSD Superintendent John Pedicone have? And because…
Today in Bad Cover Ideas: Lil Jon Edition
YouTube personality Jackson Foote and her suburban pals cover the Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz classic “Get Low”, possibly while under the influence of bad idea juice, if there is such a thing.
